21 grams is a Balkan bistro with a cult-like following which has recently relocated to the second floor of the Meyan mini-mall on Al Thanyah St, Umm Suqeim 2. It carries forward the same (almost Scandinavian) minimalist-chic interior décor of the original, deliciously flush with light from its surrounding wall to wall windows; (lovely now … Continue reading 21 grams – Umm Suqeim 2
Baithak is a Pakistani restaurant in Ajman that is nothing less than the personification of the term ‘hidden gem’. Located in the Ajman Industrial Area, its interior is surprisingly well laid out and clean. There’s an upstairs ‘family’ dining area which seemed quite popular while we were there. Before I go on I must accredit … Continue reading Baithak – Ajman
Daikan has opened a branch in Abu Dhabi. Much more in-tuned with their restaurants in Germany, this new branch is licensed and serves a wider range of dishes than at either of its Dubai outlets. Located in the swanky Yas Bay complex, it’s bigger too and includes an outdoor dining area. Yet as mesmerising as … Continue reading Daikan – Abu Dhabi
I’m not an expert on Egyptian cuisine but (as the saying goes) I know someone who is – the great @yousefalulama – and he arranged for us to visit Cairo 30 at the Pointe on Palm Jumeirah. A bit of trivia before we go on, Cairo 30 is a 1966 Egyptian drama film directed by … Continue reading Cairo 30 – The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah
I visited the original Via Delhi in Oud Metha over five years ago and was not at all impressed with the food. I was, however, very impressed with the service. And it’s the friendly service at this new branch in Barsha South which won me over (literally) from the minute I stepped into their handsomely … Continue reading Via Delhi – Barsha South
Absolutely, utterly, irrevocably DISAPPOINTED!!! What, pray tell, is all the fuss about. They have bouncers at the entrance – bouncers! And a sectioned off area like you have at immigration. I have little doubt that they fill up over weekends but today there were no lines making the muscle-bound bouncers look very out of place … Continue reading CZN Burak Burger – Downtown Dubai
Asian Street by Thai is Dubai’s newest and, dare I say, most authentic Esan and Thai street food restaurant. Located a skip and a hop away from Sausage Fabrique at lake level in Cluster F, JLT, its modest interior is made up of a couple of simple table and chairs, a full-length beverages fridge on … Continue reading Asian Street by Thai – JLT
Double Like Burger & Lobster is a newish burger joint on Jumeirah Road. Located 3 doors down from one of my favourite Syrian “meat” restaurants, Mazaree Al Sham, its interior is…on the small size and pretty much same same as the other burger joints on the strip (that’s the Jumeirah strip). That said, its air-conditioned … Continue reading Double Like Burger & Lobster – Umm Suqeim
Hakata Ikkousha is a chain of Japanese ramen restaurants with a global footprint as far reaching as Melbourne in Australia to Hong Kong, from Torrance in California to…Sharjah, right here in the UAE. Billed as its first foray into the Middle East, the ‘Ikkousha Ramen Sharjah Shop’ boasts strict compliance with “Islamic food-related traditions”. And … Continue reading Ikkousha Ramen – Sharjah
Goose Island Tap House is Dubai’s newest sports bar / gastro pub. Located on the side of the swanky FIVE Jumeirah Village in JVC, its interior is (as one would expect) dominated by a very well stocked bar island with at least a dozen draft levers on either side promising everything from crafts to IPAs. … Continue reading Goose Island Tap House – Jumeirah Village Circle
